NFL Pulls Plug On Big-Screen Church Parties For Super Bowl

The Washington Pest ^ | 2/1/08 | Jacqueline L. Salmon

[steve-b]

For years, as many as 200 members of Immanuel Bible Church and their friends have gathered in the church's fellowship hall to watch the Super Bowl on its six-foot screen. The party featured hard hitting on the TV, plenty of food -- and prayer.

But this year, Immanuel's Super Bowl party is no more. After a crackdown by the National Football League on big-screen Super Bowl gatherings by churches, the Springfield church has sacked its event. Instead, church members will host parties in their homes.

Immanuel is among a number of churches in the Washington area and elsewhere that have been forced to use a new playbook to satisfy the NFL, which said that airing games at churches on large-screen TV sets violates the NFL copyright....

[steve-b]

The law may be on their side, but this is a stupid and unnecessary PR fiasco in the making....

[Red Badger]

Just how does this violate NFL copyrights? This is stupid...........

[ml/nj]

Didn't we do this last year?

ML/NJ

[cinives]

So who cares whether you are watching on 1 huge screen or on 15 smaller screens - it’s still a broadcast, for Pete’s sake.

Dumb, really dumb.

[The Louiswu]

The NFL pulled this crap with a church here in Indy. Finally at the 11th hour the NFL caved due to PR pressure.

I wish the NFL would pull it's head out of it's butt and stop pulling these kinds of legal stunts.

[Always Right]

They did this last year against some churches in Indianapolis. Not sure what the NFL really thinks they are gaining.

[rovenstinez]

The aren’t making enough money off of Super Bowl. Believe you ME, that there will be hundreds of violations of this ruling in every other country in the world. Just for the Americans, American football this applies. Sheeple, follow their rules!

[PBRSTREETGANG]

I recall this story from last year, as well.

(Guess they missed a few churches.)

[1rudeboy]

A version of this article appears every year on schedule.

[Always Right]

yes.

[Richard Kimball]

They've been doing it for several years. I have no idea how it hurts them for churches to have parties and watch the Super Bowl. The NFL can control media coverage to some extent, as most of the sports press (ABCCBSNBCFOXESPN) all have contracts with Fox and are business partners. They actually function as the public relations arm of the NFL.

The NFL has always done weird things, but they make a ton of money doing it.

[DownInFlames]

What about all of the bars in the country with a big screen and a huge patronage buying their goods (bud, etc.)

[Man50D]

The league bans public exhibitions of its games on TV sets or screens larger than 55 inches because smaller sets limit the audience size.

Churches could always install more than one screen/TV under 55 inches.

[Biblebelter]

I do not have the attention span to watch a lot of the Super Bowl and will watch some of it like I watch all sports on televisions without the sound. That said, I am not sure why Churches would want to have Super Bowl parties. If there is something called worldliness as mentioned in the Bible, then there is no greater public celebration of worldliness than the Super Bowl. If individuals want to watch the Super Bowl so be it, but churches should not be feel wronged if the NFL will not allow them to pimp for it.

[Disturbin]

I have an 8-foot screen at home, but won’t be watching the game due to lack of cable and reception.

This sort of so-called ban by the NFL is ridiculous. After the kind of garbage they allow during the half-time show, are they really in a position to deny church parties? Do they ban bars and clubs from showing the bowl?

We have a group of people watching the bowl game at the rod and gun club, but I believe our TV is 48” or so.

I wonder when 55” will change as the cutoff point?

[fortheDeclaration]

I do not have the attention span to watch a lot of the Super Bowl and will watch some of it like I watch all sports on televisions without the sound. That said, I am not sure why Churches would want to have Super Bowl parties. If there is something called worldliness as mentioned in the Bible, then there is no greater public celebration of worldliness than the Super Bowl. If individuals want to watch the Super Bowl so be it, but churches should not be feel wronged if the NFL will not allow them to pimp for it.

Amen.

[Disturbin]

“Churches could always install more than one screen/TV under 55 inches.”

True — can’t you get several 27” TV’s for the price of one giant one?

[SamAdams76]

Well I think it’s stupid of the NFL to do this but on the other hand, I’m somewhat amazed that churches these days show football games. When I went to church as a kid, it was always serious all the time. The thought of showing a football game in church was unthinkable and about a dozen old ladies would instantly die of a heart attack if the priest even brought up the idea.

[Proverbs 3-5]

This is just one more reason why I just can't get into the NFL (I prefer college FB) and haven't watched the "Super Bowl" in years.

First you have players on the field, who get paid millions (in many cases) because they are good and they are professionals doing monkey dances or carrying off a football for their collection for a good play they made when they are doing precisely what what they are suppose to do.

Second, you have numerous players who have been given a gift (their ability and opportunity to play in the NFL) and some times a second chance in life who squander it off field.

Then you have the NFL not only telling churches they can't advertise "Super Bowl" parties but other businesses. I've seen many adds for "game day" parties and 'super" parties. And yet it is these unofficial Super Bowl parties that make it possible for the NFL to make lotsa moolah...

SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL--

There I said it.

[Mr. Brightside]

Just how does this violate NFL copyrights?

Probably the same way that music copyright works. Anytime you hear music in a restaurant, the music must purchase a liscense for playing it. ASCAP, BMI etc are famous for the way they intimidate business across the nation with large fines in order to build their membership base.

[Perdogg]

Because in the case last year, the Church was charging money.

[AnnGora]

Wow. I always thought churches had services on Sunday evening to worship God, not football. Although He is the same: yesterday, today, and forever, some churches apparently feel the need to evolve with the times. Next thing you know, they will be having drive thru servi...

uh, wait a minute...

[Screaming_Gerbil]

Maybe I am a bit confused here, but I don’t see how Churches and the Super Bowl go together.

Maybe they are not mutually exclusive, but it’s not exactly a religous message I think - and should a church be where people gather together to watch the Super Bowl?

I Wonder how something like that half-time Janet Jackson breast exposure act would go over if it was being shown in church...

[Red Badger]

That is wrong........A house of worship should never charge money for fellowship gatherings...........

[bluebeak]

This makes perfect sense! Allowing this hurts the NFL ability to sell tickets to the Superbowl. Oh, I’m being sarcastic.

Where is the outrage from environmentalist? Isn’t watching this is groups saving electricity (as opposed to multiple viewing locations).

What is wrong with the NFL? Aw ... people at the gatherings are watching the million dollar advertisements?

[Wolfie]

Fiasco? I think not. Americans are rabid for Pro Football.

[The Louiswu]

They were collection donations for the church itself. People were free to give or not.

[Tanniker Smith]

But it’s okay to watch in bars???

[uptoolate]

I do not have the attention span to watch a lot of the Super Bowl and will watch some of it like I watch all sports on televisions without the sound. That said, I am not sure why Churches would want to have Super Bowl parties. If there is something called worldliness as mentioned in the Bible, then there is no greater public celebration of worldliness than the Super Bowl. If individuals want to watch the Super Bowl so be it, but churches should not be feel wronged if the NFL will not allow them to pimp for it.

I too have given up on worshiping the 'god of sport'. It is rather quite liberating I must tell you.

[Perdogg]

This year’s schedule

Feb 1st, 2008 NFL Legal @ Immanuel Bible Church (CBS-TV)

bye

[Wolfie]

Bars are specifically exempted.

[Proverbs 3-5]

Because in the case last year, the Church was charging money.

Maybe, maybe not, but I've been told they can't advetise period, free or charge.

If there is a charge it is usually to defray the cost of food.

Don't know about other churches but the only Super Bowl parties at my church have been geared as an out reach program for the youth program. You know, bring a friend who might not otherwise come to church. We still have our regular non-football worship service in the evening during the game.

[CIB-173RDABN]

Just how does this violate NFL copyrights?

Thatis my question, just how does this violate anyones copyright. Unless they are charging admission then what difference does it make how many get together to watch the game?

[Perdogg]

The situation last year, the church was charging money to cover the cost of the food.

[bluebeak]

they (nfl) care about the flawed method of how ratings are calculated.

[Arcy]

The NFL is anti-family, anti-community, and anti-church. What does it matter where and how many watch this "game" when almost all of the attendees are paying inflated rates for cable television at their own homes?

[Red in Blue PA]

Soon you will need to count the number of people in your living room who are watching the game and pay for each person.

This is simply: Capitalism run amok!

And sadly, many here will defend this form of capitalism, where the laws are used as a bludgeon.

[FishTale]

"Didn't we do this last year?"

Maybe, but I was too busy beating my wife during the Super Bowl to notice...

[Red in Blue PA]

I wonder if they would make this same requirement of a mosque?

Methinks NOT.

[jwparkerjr]

I would just have everyone bring a tv with them. For those who don’t have one to bring I would have donated or loaned sets available at the door. One of the sets that a party goer brought would be the big screen set. Then everyone would sit with their little sets turned on but be able to see the big one too. Then I would tell the NFL, “See you in court!”

Sometimes you just have to make something more trouble than it’s worth to make a point.

[NCLaw441]

You posted: Maybe I am a bit confused here, but I don’t see how Churches and the Super Bowl go together.

Maybe they are not mutually exclusive, but it’s not exactly a religous message I think - and should a church be where people gather together to watch the Super Bowl?
***

Our church doesn’t have Sunday evening services. There is a youth group meeting, but no evening worship service. Our fellowship hall is used for all sorts of activities, most of which are religious, some of which are not, some of which are mixed (Men’s BBQ fundraiser, etc.). I don’t see anything inherently wrong in coming to the church to watch the game, although we don’t do it at our church.

[OrioleFan]

I guess the advertizers on the 6 hours of hype and 5 hours of game and post game have nothing to say about a smaller audience...

[Yo-Yo]

So who cares whether you are watching on 1 huge screen or on 15 smaller screens - it’s still a broadcast, for Pete’s sake.

Dumb, really dumb.

I agree. And I'd argue that the NFL is shooting itself in the foot on this because I bet that there would be more people attend a church potluck/Super Bowl event (therefore more eyeballs viewing the $2.7 million commercials) than would individually watch from home.

As long as there is no commerce going on, there is no problem.

[Pablo64]

I think you can put churches and the Super Bowl together in the respect that it is a time of fellowship for the members of the church. You need to remember, the Church is not the physical building. It is the body of believers. Not every single event that takes place inside the building necessarily has a "religious" message.

Probably most of these events are not being held in the regular sanctuary of the church (although it would be at ours), but more likely in a meeting or fellowship hall. For larger churches, social events like this are good ways to try and get to know new members of the congregation. As far as ridiculous stunts like the Janet Jackson event, well, if there had not been so much coverage about it after the event, most people would never have seen it. We were having a Super Bowl party at my house when it happened, but nobody watches the half-time as closely as the game. We barely noticed it and weren't even sure we saw what we thought we saw. I think church members would likely pray for her in a situation like that (I know they would at our church). Yeah, some would get upset, but they're going to get upset no matter where they saw it.

I don't think events like these are any different than a church having a fish fry on Friday nights during lent, or anything like that. There is a time for worship and also a time for fellowship within the church body.

[Wolfie]

There’s the rub. Eyeballs don’t count in the ratings. TV sets do.

[NCLaw441]

And at a church gathering the ads would have a greater effect because, presumably, the viewers wouldn’t be drinking.

[Anonymous Rex]

If you can watch it on a big-screen in a bar you can watch it on a big-screen in a church. The NFL needs to pay a price for this.

[Wolfie]

There’s the other rub. The insidious marriage of pro sports and booze. Why do you think bars are exempt?

[dawn53]

And maybe that’s the reason they ban it at churches. The advertisers (lots of beer companies) don’t want the Super Bowl watched at a church...no Bud consumed during the watching.

[Tanniker Smith]

Bars are specifically exempted.

Figures. Bars good. Churches bad.